Buzz Blog

Open Container: U.S. Senate Endorsement

As a journalist, I follow a certain code of ethics. I don't accept gifts, for instance. I am also supposed to walk a straight line of objectivity, and most days I ... well ... okay, I don't walk many straight lines. But that's beside the point.

One of the things a journalist is absolutely supposed to avoid is favoritism, be it putting a campaign sign in their yard or endorsing a specific candidate. Again, these are usually principles to which I adhere, much to the chagrin of my politically active wife. Today, however, I am setting aside that principle to endorse a candidate in the U.S. Senate race.

This race has been covered well by myself and City Weekly, including two cover stories in the last year, one on the challenges from arch-conservatives to Sen. Bob Bennett and one on the Democratic candidate, Sam Granato. So my endorsement is not arrived at without a significant grounding in the issues.

After a lot of study, I have decided to endorse (and write-in, since he's not actually on the ballot) Cody Judy for Senate. This really wasn't decided until a couple of days ago, when Judy finally delivered a campaign promise I can back: If elected, he will reopen The Zephyr Club.

Save. The. Zephyr.

The fact is, there has been a lot of insane promises tossed out in this campaign. Mike Lee wants to cut 40 percent of the federal budget. Sam Granato thinks he can work with both sides of the aisle. Yeah, right. At least with Judy's promise, there is a physical building standing empty, waiting for a revival of its glory days. And if he is a U.S. Senator, it seems like the least he can do is reopen a bar. Bennett was able to shut down Port O' Call, right? So it should cut both ways.

For anyone over the age of 30, the Zephyr has a lot of memories. It's why Bill Frost does a weekly Dead Zephyr update. It was a great club that brought in great music for not much money. If Judy can bring it back, then Salt Lake City and the world, generally, will be a better place. (Personally, the band that defines the Zephyr for me is The Jackmormons, who I've seen there a few times. Great shows. Video embedded below, sadly not from the Zephyr, but it's their ode to SLC.)

So, there you have it. My first ever endorsement. Sorry, Sam. Sorry, Mike.